Related Posts
Bowl Leader
Which health insurance your company providing?
What's next after healthcare for you all?
Bowl Leader
More Posts
Additional Posts in Mental Health in Accounting
Anonymous User
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Hi OP. I’ve been on anti-depressants (40mg of Prozac, recently increased to 60) for almost 3 years now and they’ve made a tremendous difference in my life. I’m not exaggerating at all when I say that without them, I wouldn’t be functional (as in, still feeling exhausted after getting 10 hours of sleep, and when I’m awake all I can do is sit in my apartment and cry for sometimes literally 12 hours straight)....My life doesn’t suck any less because I’m on anti-depressants, but it makes it hurt less. Before, I would think about something painful that I had experienced, and that would spiral into thinking about *every* painful thing I’ve ever experienced, and how my life & my future is just going to be a repeat of that loneliness and isolation....But since I start taking meds regularly, it stops my thoughts & emotions from spiraling like that. It’s like I’m still aware that things suck, but the feelings get “capped”, if that makes any sense, where things just don’t hurt as much - and that makes living manageable for me. Full disclosure, I’m typically someone who doesn’t like to self-medicate, even for something as minor as a headache, and I used to be kind of opposed to the idea of taking anti-depressants. But I can honestly say that if I hadn’t started taking them regularly a couple years ago, I don’t think I’d be alive anymore. Whatever path you decide to take, I hope you’re able to find a healthy way of managing your own pain & struggles. You’re not alone, OP. If you have any specific questions, I’m happy to answer.
I would add to address concerns for potential side effects - it’s different for everyone, you may or may not experience the side effects. Some side effects also go away after a few weeks of your body adjusting to the meds. Your doctor will work with you to find the best medicine for you and to address those side effects that may come up
There are so many new meds on the market now! Find a psychiatrist who has experience with a range of meds. There is also genetic testing which can help your MD rule in or out certain classes of meds. I was on high doses of Wellbutrin and Adderall for many years until my new psychiatrist did genetic testing and moved me to Lexapro & Adderall Also, make sure that you have had a recent physical with complete blood work (including thyroid function, vitamin B-12 and vitamin D) and EKG. My primary care physician found that my vitamin D level was very low. With a high D supplement, I’ve been able to reduce my Adderall dose from 50mg/day to 10mg only as needed, and my mood has improved significantly. Find docs/ professionals who are willing to incorporate info from each other into your treatment plan. Ask your therapist if taking a diagnostic written test would make sense, like the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-IV. If your psychiatrist isn’t interested in your therapist’s observations or lab work done by your PCP, find another. Tell your psychiatrist that you are willing to pay for additional time with them beyond what insurance will pay during the initial few months. Unfortunately, they usually are limited to one longer initial consultation, then must do 15 minute sessions per insurance. Also, there are helpful suggestions on many of the threads in this ‘bowl’, so look through as many as you can. Sleep apnea, thyroid under-function and anemia (especially pernicious anemia and thalassemia) are worth exploring. Realize that a combination of several factors (in my case, sleep apnea, vitamins D and B-12 deficiencies and genetic predisposition to poor serotonin processing/generation) can create a perfect storm of depression.
Agree with pwc 1. Similar experience
I’m not on an anti depressant but i’m taking a mood stabilizer and I took it off and on for a year and didn’t notice anything. I doubled my dose and take it twice a day now and I set two alarms every day for it and honestly I feel so weird because I feel sane and not depressed for the first time in years. it can take a few tries to get the right medication (in my case it was 5) so just be patient :)
They help. Source: 20mg lexapro, 80mg propranolol la, .5mg alprazolam